San Francisco 49ers offensive guard Ian Silberman (62) and guard Joe Looney (78) run onto the field with teammates before an NFL preseason football game against the San Diego Chargers in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015.
Ben Margot
AP

San Francisco 49ers offensive guard Ian Silberman (62) and guard Joe Looney (78) run onto the field with teammates before an NFL preseason football game against the San Diego Chargers in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015.
Ben Margot
AP

Nick Moody cut as 49ers reduce roster to 53 players

* Nick Moody, LB. Moody is the most surprsing cut considering he started the team’s first two preseason games at inside linebacker. Moody also was considered a special teams ace. But Nick Bellore may have beat him out in that area while Shayne Skov looked strong on defense all offseason.

* Andrew Tiller, G. He was the de facto starter at right guard during the offseason. He had a strong preseason and was Pro Football Focus’ top-rated 49ers offensive lineman.

* Dylan Thompson, QB. He had a disaapointing preseason until Thursday when he threw two touchdowns and had 225 passing yards. With only two quarterbacks on the active roster, he is a logical candidate for the practice squad.

Never miss a local story.

Sign up today for a free 30 day free trial of unlimited digital access.

* Justin Renfrow, T. He’s a logical choice for the practice squad considering he played defensive line in college and has upside at his new spot. Renfrow started to come on toward the end of training camp and was one of the 49ers’ more powerful young tackles.

* Marcus Cromartie, CB. He was brought in last season and had a solid spring and summer for the 49ers. He could end up on the team’s practice squad.

* Kaleb Ramsey, DL. Per the San Francisco Chronicle, the 49ers will waive Ramsey, a seventh-round draft pick last season.

* Kendall Gaskins, RB. The 49ers have informed Gaskins he will be waived. He ran with power in the preseason, especially during the finale, and could wind up on the practice squad.

* DiAndre Campbell, WR. He was the 49ers’ second-best undrafted rookie receiver behind DeAndrew White. The 49ers will try to get Campbell onto their practice squad on Sunday, a source said.

* Marcus Rush, OLB. According to CSN Bay Area, the 49ers have waived Rush. He is another good practice-squad candidate given the team’s depth and issues at outside linebacker.

* Dillon Farrell, C. The team waived Farrell after trading for center Nick Easton earlier in the day. Farrell appeared in eight games last season for the team. He can play multiple positions alon the line and is a possibility for the practice squad. The team’s former offensive line coach, Mike Solari, also is fond of Farrell. Solari is now with the Packers.

* Xavier Grimble, TE. He spent time on the 49ers’ practice squad a year ago and could be headed there again this season.

* Garrison Smith, NT. He was buried under a deep group of linemen that included two other nose tackles, Ian Williams and Mike Purcell.

* Leon McFadden, CB. Like Cromartie, McFadden played well but not well enough to beat fellow youngsters Kenneth Acker, Keith Reaser and Dontae Johnson for roster spots.

* Jermaine Whitehead, S. He had no chance of making the squad after the 49ers used high-round draft picks at safety in each of the last three years. Still, Whitehead has a chance to make the practice squad.

In addition, tight end Busta Anderson (ankle) and running back Kendall Hunter (knee) were placed on injured reserve,

WAIVED/RELEASED FRIDAY

* Issac Blakeney, WR. The tall undrafted rookie from Duke played 33 snaps in the preseason finale. He ended the preseason without a reception.

* Craig Dahl, S. The veteran was squeezed out at a position teeming with younger players such as Jimmie Ward, Jaquiski Tartt and L.J. McCray.

* Darnell Dockett, DT. The team released Dockett, 34, Friday morning. He was due to earn a $250,000 roster bonus next week. By releasing Dockett, however, the 49ers must absorb $2.5 million of his salary unless he is picked up by another team.

* Joe Looney, G. Looney started the team’s first two preseason games at center. He was the lone remaining member of the 49ers’ dubious 2012 draft class, which also included A.J. Jenkins and LaMichael James. Looney’s release likely means that either Ian Silberman or Dillon Farrell will be in uniform on game days because of their ability to play center and guard.

* Patrick Miller, OT. He and quarterback Dylan Thompson were the only 49ers to play every offensive snap Thursday against San Diego. Miller lined up at left tackle throughout training camp and the preseason. His release bodes well for rookie Trent Brown to make the roster. Alex Boone is the emergency backup at left tackle; Brown could have that role at right tackle.

* Philip Wheeler, LB. He dealt with a hamstring injury for most of training camp. Wheeler had a strong outing in the preseason finale that included a sack. NaVorro Bowman, Michael Wilhoite and Nick Moody are locks at inside linebacker. Nick Bellore and Shayne Skov are on the bubble.

ADDITIONALLY

* Jerome Simpson, WR. The receiver will be suspended for six games, which opens a spot on the roster. The 49ers can bring him back to the roster after the first six games.

About This Blog

Matt Barrows was born in Blacksburg, Va., and attended the University of Virginia. He graduated in 1995, went to Northwestern for a journalism degree a year later, and got his first job at a South Carolina daily in 1997. He joined The Sacramento Bee as a Metro reporter in 1999 and started covering the San Francisco 49ers in 2003. His favorite player of all time is Darrell Green. Reach Barrows at mbarrows@sacbee.com.
Twitter: @mattbarrows